Vertical Variation
Sometime during each 24-hour period, most of us lay down to sleep. We become horizontal. That’s good! It is a natural way to re-energize our system. The problem is with our decision about when to return to the vertical position – to get up.
Sleep is largely a combination of our biological responses to Circadian Rhythms and the need for Rapid Eye Movement (REM) dreaming. If we allow these two important activities to occur naturally, we awaken with new energy that will last throughout the day. If we are out of sync with either, the result is low energy.
According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, “Circadian rhythms are regular changes in mental and physical characteristics that occur in the course of a day. Most circadian rhythms are controlled by the body’s biological ‘clock’ which synchronizes with the sleep/wake cycle.”
Circadian rhythms like consistency. However, these rhythms are affected to some degree by external time cues such as the beeping of our alarm clock or the clatter of a garbage truck. When we choose to stimulate our circadian rhythms by getting up (becoming vertical) at inconsistent times, we are constantly resetting our circadian rhythms which can cause a reduction of energy.
We also sleep in cycles. One sleep cycle is roughly 90 minutes long, during which we experience the necessary REM sleep. These cycles like consistency, too.
What to do to boost your personal vigor? Set your alarm for a specific wake time and do not change it. If you need to get up for work at 6:00AM during the week, get up at 6:00AM on the weekends as well. “What?!” you say. Yes, if you want as much personal energy as possible, do not mess with your sleep rhythms. But, if you must sleep in, get up 90 minutes later on the weekends – that’s one sleep cycle. For the best energy results, shoot for four or five 90-minute sleep cycles every night.
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